Abstract: Package having a flexible inner sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The package has an article reservoir for accepting an article to be shipped. The expansion chambers can be inflated or otherwise expanded to provide structure to the package and to protect the article in the article reservoir. The inner sheet of the package includes a shrinkable material that can be activated to immobilize articles disposed in the article reservoir.

Abstract: A package having a flexible inner sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The package has an article reservoir for accepting an article to be shipped. The expansion chambers can be inflated or otherwise expanded to provide structure to the package and to protect the article in the article reservoir. The inner sheet of the package includes a shrinkable material that can be activated to immobilize articles disposed in the article reservoir.

Abstract: A compressible cushion may include a base structure and a plurality of foam layers positioned on a seat pan of the aircraft seat. The plurality of foam layers may include a first foam layer stacked on the base structure, and at least a second foam layer stacked on the first foam layer. A density of the at least a second foam layer may be less than a density of the first foam layer. The first foam layer and the at least a second foam layer may be cut at a length corresponding to a length of the seat pan when in an extended position. The first foam layer and the at least a second foam layer each may include a plurality of cuts, which may be configured to compress when the seat pan actuates between the extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An ergonomic aid has a base portion configured to be received on a stringer adjacent an access port in a partition wall within a structural enclosure. A support pad extends from the base portion, the support pad having an upper surface with a contour adapted to match a profile of the access port. The support pad has a predetermined height to extend the upper surface above a rim of the access port opening when the support pad is in a compressed condition.

Abstract: This inventive subject matter includes: a segmented portable bed apparatus made of: a first container connected to a segmented sleeping pad and a second container configured to accommodate a sleeping bag, an inflatable pillow, and a dome insect net. In one embodiment, the segmented portable bed apparatus is made of a first container having a segmented pad connected to the first container. The segmented pad is made of a bottom layer and a top layer, wherein the bottom layer is formed of alternating flat and raised pads, and wherein the top layer is formed of alternating flat and raised pads. The segmented portable bed apparatus has a folded configuration and unfolded configuration. The segmented portable bed apparatus, when in the unfolded configuration, the bottom layer and the top layer can be joined together to form a linear segmented pad.

Abstract: A method of making an inflatable panel that includes the steps of: superimposing a second layer of a material of low gas permeability upon a first layer of a material of low gas permeability; creating a plurality of first elongated seals by intermittently sealing together the first and second layers, thereby defining a plurality of first tubes between adjacent pairs of the first elongated seals. The method also includes sealing rear ends of the first tubes; inflating the first tubes from front ends thereof with a gas; and then sealing the front ends of the first tubes, such that the gas within each of said tubes is prevented from flowing between the first tubes.

Abstract: A support product (10) usable particularly for supporting disabled children. The product (10) in plan view has a generally U shape, and the inclination of the side limbs (20) relative to the base of the U can be varied. A plurality of alternate peaks (22) and troughs (24) are provided on an upper surface of the product.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide includes a base, one or more top tubes, a first lateral side, including a series of alternately upright and inverted generally triangular inflatable frames, each frame being coupled to neighboring frames in the series, a first common side of the base and at least one of said top tubes, and a second lateral side including a series of alternately upright and inverted generally triangular inflatable frames, each frame being coupled to neighboring frames in the series, a second common side of the base and at least one of said top tubes. The first common side of the base is opposite the second common side of the base so that the slide is generally triangular in cross-section, and the angles of the triangular frames combine to form an upwardly directed arcuate bend in the uninflated slide which straightens under the weight of the slide when inflated and deployed.

Abstract: A seat cushion including a soft foam cushion constructed from open cell foam for comfort, and a plurality of closed cell foam pieces distributed within the open cell foam cushion for flotation and structural support, such as for use as a bottom cushion on an aircraft seat.

Abstract: Buoyant cushions or the like are used and are adaptable for varied other uses, such cushions having physical properties that include buoyancy, weather-resistance, malleability, strength, and comfort to the user, and allows the cushion to be used dually as lounging floatations in bodies of water and as cushions adapted to compliment outdoor furniture or used as furniture. The chamber of each cushion is partially filled with polystyrene beads and the outer surface is defined primarily by a comfortable flexible fabric material to support a user and a flexible mesh fabric material to permit ingress and egress of water to the chamber, such materials being sewn together to form the cushion.

Abstract: A cushion-type personal flotation device saver includes: (a) a generally rectangular shaped main portion comprising two closed, opposite sides, a closed end, and an open end opposite the closed end; (b) at least one main strap attached to the main portion, the main strap comprising at least one grab strap; (c) a releasable closure mechanism attached along at least one edge of the open end of the main portion; (d) a central chamber within the main portion, the chamber being accessible at the open end of the main portion; and (e) a removable collared insert that fits closely within the main portion chamber, the collared insert being slidable into and out of the main portion chamber. A combination personal flotation device saver and personal flotation device is also included. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A cushion-type personal flotation device saver includes: (a) a generally rectangular shaped main portion comprising two closed, opposite sides, a closed end, and an open end opposite the closed end; (b) at least one main strap attached to the main portion, the main strap comprising at least one grab strap; (c) a releasable closure mechanism attached along at least one edge of the open end of the main portion; (d) a central chamber within the main portion, the chamber being accessible at the open end of the main portion; and (e) a removable collared insert that fits closely within the main portion chamber, the collared insert being slidable into and out of the main portion chamber. A combination personal flotation device saver and personal flotation device is also included. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A life jacket which can be configured into various functional seat cushions for use on airplanes and boats. This life jacket contains one to three sections of various types of cushioning enclosed within water proof covers and connected by flexible hinges which allow the life jacket to be folded into various seat configurations. This life jacket also contains adjustable belts that can be used in the seat configurations or the life jacket configuration to fasten to the user.

Abstract: A swimming pool mattress, for floatably supporting a user on a water surface includes a plurality of floatable mattress members, each having two engaging end portions and a mattress surface extending between the two engaging end portions, and at least two spacedly apart frame holders respectively engaging the two engaging end portions of each of the mattress members in a detachably connecting manner. Therefore, the mattress members are retained between the two frame holders to align the mattress surfaces of the mattress members to form a floating platform for supporting the user to rest thereon and to float on the water surface.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet structure (10) comprises a front sheet (11), a net-like backing sheet (12), and sewing threads (14) for partially joining the front sheet with the backing sheet so as to form bag portions (13) between the front and backing sheets. Paddings (15) such as cotton, wool or the like can be stuffed through net clearances of the backing sheet into bag portions surrounded with sewing threads to form bulges (11b) at desired locations on the front surface of the front sheet. Thus, a quilted multilayer sheet structure (17) having bulges on the front surface thereof can be easily produced.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle which travels over or on water includes a base attached to the vehicle and for supporting the lower extremities of the passenger. A seat back extends upwardly from the base and supports the back of the passenger. At least one life vest constitutes a portion of the seat back. The life vest is capable of being removed from the seat back to provide flotation assistance to the passenger.

Abstract: A life preserver/cushion that has flotation panels which may be releasably secured together to form a seat cushion and when so secured the life preserver/cushion also serves as a tossable flotation device. A fabric interconnecting panel with a hand opening is stowed between the panels. The flotation panels are separated for use as a wearable life preserver. The interconnecting panel is received over the users head. Straps and buckles on the life preserver surfaces are used to secure the device around the users trunk.

Abstract: An improved aircraft seat having a base frame including leg assemblies for supporting front and rear horizontal stretcher tubes and spreaders. A bottom diaphragm supporting a bottom seat cushion of an individual passenger seat is positioned between two of the spreaders and is removably connected to the front and rear stretcher tubes. The bottom diaphragm is preferably a formed tray-like member of unitary construction forming an open receptacle for a floatation portion on the bottom seat cushion.

Abstract: A combination tote bag, floating chair/recliner and beach chair/pad (10) comprised of buoyant cushioned sections, all of which are covered with material (53) and are fastened together with zippers in a number of different ways for a variety of purposes. A collapsible chair frame (58) is included and is configured by placing the tubular parts together, zipping the cushions together in a flat position and, by using the headrest pocket (42), secure the cushions onto the frame. Without the frame, the cushion configuration forms a beach mat or chair pad. The carrying case can be configured to carry a substantial number of articles or be configured to a smaller size by attaching two rectangular cushions to provide storage space for flat articles such as magazines or correspondence. The carrying case is reversible and is carried by hand straps, or a shoulder strap. It becomes a back pack by detaching the shoulder strap (20) from the carrying case and attaching it to the fasteners provided on the back section (13).

Abstract: A boat fender, or cushion, of flexible plastic (e.g. PVC) is particularly designed to fit on a boat gunwale to allow boats to be safely connected together for "rafting". An elongated integral hollow body of flexible plastic comprises a pair of generally cylindrical portions and a central portion connecting the cylindrical portions. Through-extending closed periphery open end openings pass concentrically through the cylindrical portions, and other sets of openings pass through the central portion perpendicular to the cylindrical portions. Lines (ropes) may be passed through the openings to lash the cushion to a boat (e.g. at a boat gunwale), dock, piling, pier, or the like. Reinforcing tubes extend in the hollow interior of the body at the openings, and the body may be inflatable. The device also may be used as a seat cushion.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved foldable marine fender and cushion combination device which is formed by a base formed by an enlarged rectangular pliable sheet having opposed side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge, a plurality of paired cushioning pads mounted on the base in a patterned spaced apart orientation which consists of at least a first pair of cushioning pads mounted along the opposed side edges of the base, a second pair of cushioning pads mounted on the base inwardly from the first pair of cushioning pads a distance equal to the overall width of one of the cushioning pads, a third pair of cushioning pads mounted on the base spaced inwardly from the second pair of cushioning pads and spaced a distance equivalent to the overall width of two of the cushioning pads.

Abstract: A float inserted in a small size boat is formed of a central portion made of hard foamed plastic and an outer layer portion made of soft foamed plastic.

Abstract: An improved cushion of buoyant material for an airplane seat in which the cushion is removably attached to the seat, such as by Velcro strips. The cushion has straps to receive the arms of the passenger sitting on the cushion whereby the passenger can become coupled to the cushion and cause the cushion to be separated from the seat by pulling the cushion away from the seat. The cushion is formed from a number of hinged sections which pivot forwardly and partially around the passenger to stabilize the passenger when the passenger is in the water and coupled to the cushion by the straps. Actuating devices cause the forward pivoting of the hinged sections when the cushion is pulled away from the seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a life-jacket assembly primarily intended for aircraft passengers, including a buoyant body (7) furnishing at least the principal part of the buoyancy, and straps or the like adapted to retain the life-jacket assembly in position on persons in emergency situations, said buoyant body (7) being utilized as upholstery in a chair or the like.The novel feature is that the life-jacket includes an elongated, generally flat buoyancy body (7) substantially made of buoyancy material, that the life-jacket is entirely contained in an upwardly open compartment in the back-rest of a chair where the buoyant body (7) forms at least part of the upholstery, that an end surface of the life-jacket is provided with a pull handle (6) which is accessible at the top end of the back-rest, and that the generally flat body (7) has, at some distance from that end which is provided with the pull handle, an opening (8) through which the user has to pass his head.

Abstract: A personal flotation device of a type designed and structured to be worn about the head and shoulders and upper body portion of the wearer and capable of supporting the wearer in water in a substantially face upright position to provide adequate breathing space even when the wearer is unconscious. The flotation device is further capable of being closed into a carrying case position and otherwise utilized as various type cushion structures such as a seat with accompanying backrest. The structural components of the device include various buoyant portions capable of being specifically disposed about predetermined portions of the wearer's body so as to properly support the upper chest, head, back and chin portions thereby adequately supporting and orienting the wearer in water when worn.

Abstract: A body cushion for use in minimizing discomfort and fatigue is disclosed. The body cushion includes a top cushion, a bottom cushion, a base cushion disposed therebetween and flexible connectors connecting the top and bottom cushions to the base cushion. The flexible connectors enable the length of the body cushion to be adjustable to provide support from the occipital to ilium regions of the body. Means for attaching the body cushion to the back of a user or to a chair are provided.

Abstract: Foam buoyancy sections carried in the front of a flotation vest are formed in four separate pieces that are cut from rectangular sheets of buoyancy material without any waste material.

Abstract: Foam buoyancy .[.section.]. .Iadd.sections .Iaddend.carried in the front of a flotation vest are formed in four separate pieces that are cut from rectangular sheets of buoyancy material without any waste material.